The full extent of the injury will not be clear until the surgery is performed so no timetable was given for a possible return, but expect it to be a while, given the past history of the injury.

Curtis becomes the third Eagles player to have a sports hernia in the last few years. Donovan McNabb had surgery during the 2005 season after trying to play through the injury. L.J. Smith had offseason surgery in the spring of 2007 but the injury lingered during the season after he suffered another injury to the area during training camp.

Curtis was injured against Carolina in last Thursday's preseason game. He tried to practice this week but was unable to run because of the pain, leading to the decision to have the surgery.

Reid said he is not interested in bringing in another receiver at this time.

With Reggie Brown still out with a hamstring injury, also suffered against Carolina, the starting receivers Friday at New England will be DeSean Jackson in Brown's spot and either Hank Baskett or Greg Lewis in Curtis' spot.

Curtis is coming off the most productive season of his career with 77 catches for 1,110 yards. He equaled a career high with six touchdowns. He signed as a free agent from the St. Louis Rams before last season.

-08-20-2008

laram0

Re: Kevin Curtis to have sports hernia surgery

The bad news: I always liked Kevin Curtis, sorry to hear about the injury.

The good news: We play the Eagles the 1st game of the regular season.

This really hurts the less than stellar receiving corp of the Eagles.

-08-20-2008

RamWraith

No Curtis opening weekend

Eagles' Curtis out 'a while'; to have sports hernia surgery

ESPN.com news services

The Philadelphia Eagles will have to start the season without one of quarterback Donovan McNabb's top targets.

NFC East blog

ESPN.com's Matt Mosley writes about all things NFC East in his division blog.

• Blog network: NFL Nation

Coach Andy Reid announced Wednesday that receiver Kevin Curtis will undergo sports hernia surgery that will definitely keep him out of the Eagles' season opener against the St. Louis Rams.

Reid said Curtis is expected to return this season but will be out "for a while."

Curtis was injured in last Thursday's preseason game against the Carolina Panthers.

"He tried to work through it but wasn't able to function very well with it during practice, so we decided to go this direction," Reid told reporters.

With Curtis out, Reid said the team would not pursue a trade for another receiver. Greg Lewis and Hank Baskett will split time in Curtis' absence opposite the team's other starting receiver -- Reggie Brown.

Curtis, who signed with the Eagles last year as a free agent from the Rams, led the team in receiving in 2007 with 77 catches for 1,110 yards and six touchdowns.

-08-20-2008

UtterBlitz

Re: No Curtis opening weekend

Interesting. No Curtis.

So is a sports hernia the same as a regular hernia, or not?

-08-20-2008

Josh

Re: Kevin Curtis to have sports hernia surgery

I guess it's the same, you just get it playing sports. I don't know though.

-08-23-2008

PA_gal_in_OK

Re: Kevin Curtis to have sports hernia surgery

Even while Curtis is out, we will be fine. While our WR Corps does not have any stand out name, will be fine. DJax will fill in nicely while Curtis is on the mend. We also have Westbrook, who can do anything to keep us afloat temporarily. The play of Tony Hunt will give Westbrook some time off the field should the need be. Oh an in case some of you may have missed last evenings game, we FINALLY have a return game. Demps had a 101 yrd KR followed by a 76 yrd Punt Return by DJax on the next possession...